WASHINGTON (CNN) — The State Department said Thursday it is looking into the disappearance of two American college students who were vacationing in the Caribbean island of Trinidad. The two were set to return to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, at the start of the week but never appeared.

Brown University sent an e-mail to all its students Wednesday saying the two un-named undergraduates had not returned from spring break. “We want you to know that the Division of Campus Life and Student Services is working with family, friends, law enforcement officials, and other agencies to locate the students,” the e-mails said. “We realize that this is a disturbing announcement,” the university said and offered support services to students.

Neither the State Department nor Brown University released the students’ names or offered any details about them.

The twin islands of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are in the southern Caribbean. The State Department Web site, www.state.gov, warns travelers to be on guard and says violent crime has been steadily on the rise.

“Violent crimes, including assault, kidnapping for ransom, sexual assault and murder, have involved foreign residents and tourists, including U.S. citizens,” the department Web site says. “The perpetrators of many these crimes have not been arrested.”

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